UOG School of Health Recognized as a Workforce Leader in Dementia Care
UOG School of Health Recognized as a Workforce Leader in Dementia Care
UOG School of Health Recognized as a Workforce Leader in Dementia Care
8/29/2024
The 91快播鈥檚 Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health (SOH) was recently recognized as a Dementia Capable Care Workforce Leader (DCC-WL) by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).
The DCC-WL recognition is awarded to provider organizations that directly care for individuals with dementia, as well as preparatory organizations like colleges and universities that offer CPI Dementia Capable Care training by at least one Dementia Capable Care certified instructor on staff. Preparatory organizations must maintain these standards throughout the recognition period, which lasts for two years.
SOH achieved the recognition through its Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (G/M GWEP). The program aims to transform the health systems serving the region鈥檚 elderly and individuals with Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease and Related Dementias. Since 2022, it has provided CPI Dementia Capable Care training for caregivers, certified nursing assistants, and other healthcare workers and students.
Dr. Yvette Paulino, dean of the Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health, expressed pride in the achievement and commended the work of SOH Nursing and G/M GWEP Instructor Veronica Alave and her team.
鈥淲e are grateful for Veronica Alave鈥檚 efforts to continue this excellence in dementia care,鈥� Paulino said. 鈥淭ogether with co-faculty trainers Ms. Antoinette Kleiner and Maria Sandra Cruz, they helped put Guam on the Dementia Capable Care map.鈥�
Alave, who is also a Dementia Capable Care certified instructor and instructor of Nursing at SOH, said G/M GWEP has played a significant role in highlighting the importance of dementia education in elderly care. 鈥淎s a growing aging population is a worldwide concern and will cause a big impact to our present and future healthcare system, we need to understand the needs of our elderly and engage our younger generations in how to care for them,鈥� Alave explained.
Alave believes increased awareness and knowledge go a long way in meeting those needs. Pointing to the strong family values that extend throughout the many cultures and generations living in Guam, Alave said that through G/M GWEP 鈥渨e can make a better connection with our elderly and continue to have a quality of life.鈥�
鈥淕/M GWEP offering education and training on dementia care demonstrates the impact of UOG's service to the community and our commitment to developing the professional workforce,鈥� said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez. 鈥淭he program is testament to the School of Health鈥檚 continued efforts to improve the health and well-being of our people, especially our man氓mko'.鈥�